Grace Medicine Flower #1191

This flat black medallion pot shows such a nice balance and symmetry. The central medallion on the top of the piece is incised with butterflies and then feathers are carved around it, as if to make a beautiful border. A second medallion on the top is incised with a hummingbird getting nectar from the flowers. The rest of the top is deeply carved with stylized eagle tails. The matte bottom also has two medallions with the same hummingbird, flowers and butterfly. Grace was so meticulous on this piece and the carving and incising is exquisite. It is a wonderful example of her work in black.

Grace Medicine Flower

Across the board, people believe that Grace Medicine Flower is certainly one the most important contemporary potters of our time. She is a member of the famous Tafoya family of Santa Clara. Her well-known father, Camilio (Sunlower) Tafoya was Margaret Tafoya’s brother. Grace was born in 1938, and at an early age learned to make pottery. With her brother Joseph Lonewolf, they pioneered the art of sgraffito – carving and incising delicate designs into unfired pieces of pottery. Over the years, Grace and Joseph elevated that tradition into perfection. Grace is able to create perfectly constructed and etched miniatures, as well as larger decorated and polished vessels. Grace has stated, “I thank God for giving me the hands to create pottery. I talk to the the Clay Lady and promise to do my best to make her beautiful.” Grace has been able to integrate traditional methods of pottery construction with her own strong sense of a personal history. She is one of those magnificent potters that combine tradition with innovation, and we are so fortunate to be able to see the results of her timeless commitment to this art form.

Oh my – It is startling sometimes to see what Grace can create. Over the years, she continues to delight us with her efforts and her skills. Every single bowl she creates is different from the last one. She never knows until she is well into the creation of the piece, just how it will turn out.

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